cancer pain

[gibster888]

i have an employee whose mother age 72 is suffering with major pain following her complete hysterectomy and chemotherapy being completed 6 months ago.  she feels like there is something inside of her.

her prescriptions are lyrica 75 mg when necessary after meal
ogastron 30 mg before bed
tramacet 37.5 2 tabs 3 times a day.
gravol for nausea
apo-diclo 2 tablets evert eight hours for 8 days?

can anyone help me with a good pain combination for the poor little woman? she is truly suffering.

[sandee1818]

You can contact .....
Kathy Skipper
Manager, Marketing and Public Relations
[phone] x 6614
***@****

The clinic is set for November 9-15 , 2009

I will keep looking:)

[sandee1818]

In November of this year there will be several doctors and nurses coming to help those in Jamaica who are poor and need medical care. Perhaps she can see one of the doctors here and have them treat her and speak with her current doctor about giving her adequate pain care.
http://www.christianpost.com/blogs/Humanitarian/2009/06/food-for-the-poor-adds-medical-mission-trips-17/index.html
Here is the site information.

[sandee1818]

it is a very sad thing when our elderly can not be treated with the respect and caring nature they deserve. It should not matter that she is poor, the woman needs pain relief as I am sure she is suffering! Check with local charity organizations they may have acsess to a doctor or doctors that are willing to help her without being compensated. Also call around as some doctors will do this. I am so sorry she is going through so much pain. I will look and see if I can find some help for her. it may take me awhile so hang in there.

[Tuckamore]

Bless your heart Gibster. You truly are a good friend and support person. We often forget how lucky we are to have insurance and access to a great medical system.

I know nothing about the health care deleivery system in Jamaica. If possible request narcotic for the friends mother. I think that may ease her pain. In my opinion her current medications are not adequate for control of the pain of cancer.

Good luck.

[gibster888]

i live in jamaica and this patient is extremely poor and has to use Kingston Public Hospital.  it is an uphill battle for me to assist them with getting the care they need.
if only i were independly wealthy!
thanks for ur reply

[Tuckamore]

Hi Gibster,

Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum. I am sorry to hear about your friends mother.
Your profile does not list where you reside however the medications you listed are not the "usual" combinations I have seen in patients with cancer. Her physician appears to be taking a very conservative approach to manage her pain. There may be reasons for this that I have not knowledge of.

From the medications you listed there are none to cover the extreme pain that cancer can bring.
Tramacet is tramadol and acetaminophen (tylenol).
Apo-Diclo is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory.
Lyrica is prescribed for several conditions including seizure disorders, neuralgia or nerve pain and often for Fibromyalgia.
Ogastro is a proton pump inhibitor which prevents the stomach from producing acid. In the USA it has very similar properties as Prevacid.

I am not a physician. In my opinion your friend's mother may require opiates to control her cancer pain if the current medications are not providing her relief. Often MS Contin is prescribed or a fentanyl patch or even Oxycontin, much depends on her physician and her specific medical needs. Her daughter may want to accompany her mother on her next visit to her physician. She may not be sharing the extent of her discomfort with her physician.

It is very difficult to watch those we love so much suffer with pain. I hope your friend's  mother is able to obtain some pain relief and be comfortable. You sound like a very good friend and she is blessed to have you. I'm sure she will need your continued support as her mother's condition progresses.

Take Care,
Tuck